The Monkeys, Ladybugs, and Ants asked to get a drink of water after our dance activity and instead, I showed them four glasses filled with water. I informed them that by using a wooden mallet to tap the water glasses, it makes music! I created musical glasses by filling glasses with 6 ounces, 5 ounces, 3.75 ounces, and 2.75 ounces of water, creating do, re, mi, and sol or C, D, E, G, respectively. I played a song on the musical glasses and there were at least one student in each class who guessed excitedly, “Mary Had A Little Lamb!”

When it was the student’s turn to try the musical glasses, students were careful to tap gently on the side of the glass and some even tapped on the rim. They created their own musical pieces, and explored the sound of each glass, listening to the notes. Some even shared that they played “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Hey Jude.” They loved the unique sound of the musical glasses and compared it to the wind chime they hear outside.

The Ladybugs were curious about using hot water versus cold water and what would happen if you put the mallet in the water. We talked about using cold water to keep our fingers and hands safe from hot water. Also, we talked about just using the mallet on the outside of the glass; getting the mallet wet would take out some of the water and change the sound of the glass. When I told them that they can make musical glasses at home with water in a glass and play with a stick, all the students started saying that they were going to ask mom and dad to make it at home. They were so excited to take a part of music at school, home with them! After music, many students went to get a drink of water, they temporary forgot their thirst while they played the musical glasses. Their thirst was filled with music!